[kowboydmac]

Hmm, so you're not to fond of the 44a? I've got one on the porch I want to rebuild... I'm pretty set on doing it, just wondering your opinion on it.

 

[ZJGrandMaster]

It's a fine axle. I've beat the hell outta mine for over a year. With a locker, 5.9 and gears and lots of my right foot. I don't know that I'd build one, I got mine for free. But its done its job fine. Hell it came in viper and Corvette, can't be too bad.

But.... I am building a d60 to replace it.

 

[kowboydmac]

It's a fine axle. I've beat the hell outta mine for over a year. With a locker, 5.9 and gears and lots of my right foot. I don't know that I'd build one, I got mine for free. But its done its job fine. Hell it came in viper and Corvette, can't be too bad.

But.... I am building a d60 to replace it.

Yeah, I figure there's something to the logic of putting it behind two of America's foremost sports cars, lol.

My reasoning for building the 44A is I wanted a swap in upgrade for the 35 (even though the 35 is probably enough for me). I needed that because I don't weld and don't want to spend on the equipment right now (though the ambition to learn is there!). Also, the locker options are fine with me, Aussie or Spartan, but I may have to go with Aussie because I really want to do a stroker setup with the turbo manifold by Boostwerks, hopefully starting on that once I'm done with the suspension. I like the Spartan, but not sure it can hold up to 33" tires and 400+ lbs of torque.

Anyway, I'm glad to hear it's put up with everything you've thrown at it. I won't rock crawl because... there's no rocks in florida lol just mud.

 

[ZJGrandMaster]

well, today I got around to upgrading my steering. Bout damn time. So i kinda splurged, and did a PSC box, BRAND NEW, not reman, designed for a ram and already ported, and their high volume pump to help turn at low RPM, and their BLING BLING resevoir, also did their hose kit with all AN fittings. Dont ask how much it ran, im still in shock. haha. Anyway, it turns amazing, no more slop in my box, the steering is easier at all speeds, and just plan looks GOOD when you open the hood. Heres some pics.

the Resevoir and lines....

The pump and box....

and everything....

No, i didnt put a ram on it YET.... but its all ready for it. I need a better tie rod setup on the new Dana 44 before I attach a ram.

EDIT... I forgot, I also snagged a tranny cooler of a 4.0 model, which goes on the drivers side of the radiator, where my V-8 has it on the passenger. So I plumbed it in as a power steering cooler. Looks factory , matches my cooler like its TWIN and will keep things cool when the ram gets working.

The cooler....(tranny on left, P/S on right)

 

[ZJGrandMaster]

Alright, so my on-board air has been done for about 3 weeks and I realized I never posted the pics. The set-up is a 3 gallon air tank, with adjustable regulator, and a viar compressor. Heres the set-up outside...

Heres how I attached it, I took out all the carpet in the back, and bedlined it after I was done. I used bolts, facing up as studs, and welded them to the floor....

heres all of them done, ready for the compressor and tank

and a test fit of the tank...

and the whole set-up completed...

its braided hose from the compressor to the tank. Then the adjustable regulator, and a yellow 20ft coiled hose for the line. It can reach all 4 tires with ease. I have also used an impact gun on it to change tires. Ive had the tank up to 150psi. Damn thing is noisy though. haha. Oh well, my fuel pump, PSC pump, and that damn 5.9, you cant hear anything anyway.

 

[ZJGrandMaster]

well i gave her a bath today, figured I'd post up some pics of how its looking these days...

 

[rlcii77]

How's the bedliner on the roof holding up? Is it fading, chipping/flaking off or anything? I have been thinking about doing this to my ZJ for a while now because of the clearcoat coming off the roof. I figured the bedliner would help protect it against scratching/damage caused from hauling things on the roof rack. I like the steering upgrade also.

 

[ZJGrandMaster]

its holding up great. been up there about 2 years. It was the 1st bedline I did on it. Its got 3 or 4 chips in it, from either hitting a tree branch hard as hell, or me throwing something up there. But for what its worth, the chips are through the factory paint too, all the way to the primer. So its no fault of the bedliner. I used spray on Duplicor Truck bed coating, its like 8.99 a can. Comes in a blue can at autozone. Ive now used it on the sides, wheel wells, cargo hatch, and cargo floor. I wash it once a week, and have wheeled the piss outta it. Its hasnt faded and looks great.

 

[98zjilicious]

love the front bumper been lookin for something like that.. a link would be awesome.. and very nice rig.. got rocks... priceless.. haha

 

[ZJGrandMaster]

love the front bumper been lookin for something like that.. a link would be awesome.. and very nice rig.. got rocks... priceless.. haha

Sorry man, the bumper was a one off by TXPRO 4x4 here in Fort Hood. I drew them a picture of what i wanted. I didnt like any of the cookie cutter bumpers out there. I love mine, just gotta get the winch on there. Its all set up for it.

Feel free to show pics to a shop to have them make one up. Mine was around $500 if I remember right.

 

[98zjilicious]

Sorry man, the bumper was a one off by TXPRO 4x4 here in Fort Hood. I drew them a picture of what i wanted. I didnt like any of the cookie cutter bumpers out there. I love mine, just gotta get the winch on there. Its all set up for it.

Feel free to show pics to a shop to have them make one up. Mine was around $500 if I remember right.

nice. thanks. ill try that at the local fab shop.. and yes not a fan of most i cam across.. till i seen urs haha i was like Bam!! thats it perfect

 

[ZJGrandMaster]

Update

So ive been busy lately, got the move to Alabama complete, now im stationed at Fort Rucker. Also got the promotion, rocking the WO1 now, GO WARRANT OFFICERS!

Anyway, heres whats new with the jeep... Did some mopar valve covers to dress up the Magnum 5.9 crate motor. Looks good! Also did a summit ingition kit, with cap & rotor and wires...

After that was done, I needed a new battery, so I went with an optima yellow top. I also re-did all the wiring on everything, with 2 gauge. I used the top and side posts, and did all new dedicated wires to each. Top positive goes to alternator, side positive goes to starter. Top Ground goes to body, side ground goes to engine.

After that, I ordered up a set of tube doors, so in preperation for those to get here, I knew I had to get rid of the carpet. Its impossible to wheel here in Alabama without getting muddy, and the tube doors will just make it worse. So I yanked the carpet...

but left the trim so it still looks finished...

and then undercoated the whole thing....

and heres how it looks....

and with the husky floor mats, should just be a pull em out, wash it out affair. And with the huskys in there, you really cant tell the carpets gone. I love it.

 

[ZJGrandMaster]

I also re did the brake lines on the rear D44. I used a 28 inch stainless line from the hard line to the center of my truss. There I used a "T", and bent up matching lines that follow the truss and axle down to the calipers....

 

[Irish_Assassin]

Where did you get your tube doors? I have a set too.

 

[ZJGrandMaster]

My first taste of the Alabama mud....

and a teaser of my tube doors....

 

[ZJGrandMaster]

A guy on Mall Crawlin sells em....

 

[ZJGrandMaster]

Also took the A/C and Cruise control out today. Trying to clean the engine bay up, and strip it of anything unessicary. Since its going doorless and all.....

no more condensor blocking all my air flow...

look at all that room with no A/C lines or crusie control....

Now I just need to grab a shorter belt and pull the compressor....

 

[zj_brillo]

lol good luck on the tube doors in the mud...i wouldnt sell your doors quite yet....regardless, massive build..that thing is a beast!

 

[ZJGrandMaster]

the doors off is gonna be fine in the mud.... thats why the carpet is pulled now... I spray the inside / dash / ect with the hose every weekend anyway. I might make canvas and/or aluminum skins for the tube doors for the extra muddy days. Im from AZ, so I was used to desert and rocks. Im only in Bama temporarily for flight school. The mud isnt perminate.

As soon as all 4 tube doors are on, its getting a 8 point cage. I cant wait. So im not worried about it getting dirty / muddy any more. It was a daily driver for the last 6 years, im finally buying a 2nd car this month and the jeep will just be a toy. =)

 

[Irish_Assassin]

A guy on Mall Crawlin sells em....

I got the same ones. I can't wait for the rears to get finished being designed. BTW congrats on the promotion sir